In Memoriam: Sr. Margaret Vang Nguyen, OP (1924-2015)

Sister Margaret Vang Thi Nguyen, OP 1924-2015
76 Years of Religious Life and 90 Years of Age

Four and a half scores ago, a lovely child, the one and only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Yen Quang Bui of Lieu Ngan Nghia Hung was born on June 17, 1924 in Bui Chu Province of North Vietnam. Twenty four hours later, the infant Vang was baptized by her parish priest and received the Christian name Margaret. Absolutely loved by her family and kinsmen yet, the young Margaret Vang endured oppositions and obstacles in pursuing her religious calling at the tender age of 15. Nevertheless, she joined the local public association of women living a chaste and devout life of service. Her days were spent laboring in the fields while evenings dedicated to basic catechetical formation of children. When the political situation of the country became extremely challenging and religious freedom limited, she assumed many of the pastor’s day to day tasks of ringing the church bells, leading prayers and serving as sacristan with a joyful spirit. Her most rewarding task however, was to serve God’s little ones.

When the Apostolic See reformed and unified the public associations of Dominicans into religious congregations with public profession of vows according to Canon Law, Margaret joined the Dominican Novitiate of St. Catherine Congregation in the diocese of Xuan Loc, South Vietnam. She made her first profession on October 8, 1965 and final profession on April 30, 1972 at the age of 48.

In 1975, Sr. Margaret Vang, accompanied by a few other sisters, migrated to the United States and began immediately the foundation of the Province of Mary Immaculate in Houston, Texas. Sister untiringly dedicated to the salvation of souls; she provided care for young children and served as the local superior in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Port Arthur and Palacios, Texas. Of all of her services, her greatest joy was ministering to the little cherubs for she desired to become ever more Gospel childlike.

Sister Margaret radiated a serene spirit belonging to God alone in good health as in times of sickness. In her last testimony, she related,

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When pondering the fraternal charity of the sisters in community, I find myself lacking in nothing. I have no worries for now I am a child in the hands of the community. I offer God my all, including the bodily pain and sufferings at present and those to be manifested. But to the younger sisters, I encourage all of you to study! While I never had the educational opportunities as you do today, I urge you to cherish and attend to the sacred theological studies and hold steadfast to the Dominican heritage.

Sister Margaret Vang, having lived 76 years in religious life, quietly passed away in the early hours of February 21, 2015 with many sisters lovingly surrounding her, singing the
Salve Regina hymn.